Keep the tar sands in the ground

Toronto Speakers: * Andrew Nikiforuk, award-winning investigative journalist who has been writing about the oil and gas industry, energy, and economics for more than two decades.

* Justin Podur, professor of Environmental Studies at York University in Toronto.

Plus, a speaker from ground zero of the tar sands mega-project. To be announced.

An urgent discussion: At the beginning of the federal election campaign, Toronto Centre NDP candidate and respected author Linda McQuaig stated a simple fact: "A lot of people recognize that a lot of the oil sands oil may need to stay in the ground if we're going to meet our climate change targets."

This sparked a corporate media backlash, accusing her of being ideologically-driven, anti-Alberta and anti-jobs.

But the science is clear: if Canada continues to extract the tar sands, it will be game over for the climate. To avoid climate catastrophe we need to keep the vast majority of tar sands in the ground.

In addition to their impact on the climate, the tar sands disproportionately affect Indigenous communities - from Dene, Cree, and Metis communities at ground zero of the tar sands megaproject, to Aamjiwnaang First Nation surrounded by the tar sands refineries of Chemical Valley. The transport of tar sands bitumen through pipelines and by rail also threatens people, communities, and waterways right across the country.

While solutions to the climate and ecological crises exist, they have been all but absent in the federal election campaigns.

Admission is free. Donations welcome.

Sponsored by: Centre for Social Justice, Toronto 350.org, Toronto No Line 9 Network, Toronto West End Against Line 9, Toronto East End Against Line 9, Rising Tide Toronto.